Leptin and its Receptor are Overexpressed in Brain Tumors and Correlate with the Degree of Malignancy

A recent study published in Brain Pathology has found that the leptin and leptin receptor system is overexpressed in brain tumors and correlates with the degree of malignancy. Researchers used immunohistochemistry to screen 87 human brain tumor biopsies and detected leptin and its receptor in 55.2% and 60.9% cases, respectively. The study found that leptin and its receptor were absent in 14 samples of normal brain tissue. The presence of leptin correlated with its receptor in 80.5% of cases.

The leptin and leptin receptor system was highly expressed in glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas, while lower expression of both markers was noted in low-grade astrocytomas and gangliogliomas. The association between leptin and its receptor and the degree of tumor malignancy was highly significant (p<0.01).

Key Takeaways:

• The leptin and leptin receptor system is overexpressed in brain tumors.
• The leptin and leptin receptor system correlates with the degree of malignancy.
• The leptin and leptin receptor system is highly expressed in glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas.
• The leptin and leptin receptor system is less expressed in low-grade astrocytomas and gangliogliomas.
• The association between leptin and its receptor and the degree of tumor malignancy is highly significant.

Statistics:

• 55.2% of brain tumor biopsies showed detection of leptin.
• 60.9% of brain tumor biopsies showed detection of leptin receptor.
• 14 samples of normal brain tissue showed absence of leptin and leptin receptor.
• 80.5% overall concordance between leptin and leptin receptor presence.
• <0.01 significance level of the association between leptin and its receptor and the degree of tumor malignancy.

Sources:

• Brain Pathology, 2010;20(2):481-9 (Riolfi et al.).